Testing Woes

At this time of year, I get a lot of questions about testing from families of Juniors. They have just gotten their PSAT scores back, and whether they are disappointed or elated, questions remain. But the families I really worry about are the ones who are NOT asking the questions, because chances are, their kids will end up taking tests late, or not taking the ones they need until the fall.

Does it really matter when you take which test? Yes and No. But before I get into timing, here is a breakdown of what the tests are, and when they are offered:

• PSAT: This exam is offered in October to Juniors in high school. It is usually paid for by the school district and administered during the school day. It is the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship. Most schools in the DC area give the exam to Sophomores and some Freshmen to give them some practice with standardized tests to possibly increase scores. The scores are released by the schools any time between November and January. If you have a code, you can get the scores online at www.collegeboard.com/quickstart. These scores are supposed to be predictive of the SAT. Scored out of 240.
  
• SAT: This test is offered by the College Board most months of the school year. I recommend that Juniors take the test for the first time in January of their Junior year. Depending on the scores, they can take it a second time after a prep class, or prep on their own in March. May and June are back up dates, because they may conflict with SAT2 exams. Also offered in the fall. Scored out of 2400.
  
• PLAN and ACT: These exams are alternates to the PSAT and SAT exams. The PLAN is offered more often in the Western US. Both the SAT and the ACT are accepted at almost all colleges in the US... in fact I can't think of a single school that doesn't accept both. There are, however, big differences between these tests. The SAT purportedly tests intelligence, and is a trickier exam. It also takes points off for wrong answers. The ACT is a more straightforward exam and like the SAT2, it tests what the student has learned in school. It is more of an endurance test (very long) and there are no deductions for wrong answers. The test is offered in February, April and June. I recommend that students without stellar PSATs take the ACT in February. Also offered in the fall. Scored out of 36.
  
• SAT2: These tests used to be called the Achievement tests, and are now called Subject Tests. Most selective schools require at least one, but can ask for up to 3 of these tests, which last one hour each. You can take all 3 in one morning, usually in May or June, as your yearlong class is ending. I recommend that students taking AP exams take the SAT2 exams in the same subjects in May. If that date is a problem, then June is fine. It doesn't hurt you to take these exams, because you don't have to send the scores. Also offered in the fall. Each test is scored out of 800.
  
• AP and IB exams: These exams are offered during the week through the high school, and can be paid for, or can cost up to $80 per exam. They are for advanced placement, and the scores from Junior year or early can bolster admission. APs are scored out of 5, IBs are scored out of 7.

So, does it matter when you take them? I think that taking the exams early in the Spring of Junior year is the best time. It gives you a baseline on which to build your college list, and can indicate whether a student might benefit from test prep. Not every student needs to take a prep class, but some prep is always a good idea. Don't wait until May or the fall to take the exams for the first time. The stress of prepping for finals as well as the standardized tests can be too much. Also, if you want to take it again, waiting until the fall is just too late, and in the fall, students should be focused on finishing up their applications, not trying to raise their scores.

On the other hand, the SAT2 exams don't need much if any prep, and should absolutely be taken in May or June when the information is fresh in the student's mind.

To lower stress and maximize preparation time, consider starting early and spreading out the exams...